Winter wheat strong, spring crops mixed

The winter wheat crops performed well on the Palouse and Camas Prairie this year despite the hot summer, according to a Washington State University expert.

Spring crops were more variable because of extreme weather, however.

Mark Heitstuman, the WSU Asotin and Garfield County Extension director, said winter wheat crops had a slightly above average yield this year largely because they were less affected by the summer heat.

He said winter wheat was far enough along by the time the high temperatures came that its quality was not hurt much.

Heitstuman also credited breeding programs at the local universities and companies that ensure crops are resilient to drought and weather extremes.

“The quality of our wheat continues to improve in the Northwest,” he said.

Spring wheat was more of a mixed bag, he said, as the area saw below-zero temperatures in January and hot, dry conditions in the summer.

Fortunately, Heitstuman said, the snow on the ground provided some insulation against the cold, which prevented what would have been “kind of a major disaster.”

Wheat prices were low this summer because there was too much supply of wheat around the world, he said.

The demand is stable, but there’s “a lot of wheat out there,” he said. He said this can occur when weather conditions are right and more acres are planted.

The Lewiston Tribune reported in late August that soft white wheat in the area sold for less than $6 a bushel, which is less than what many farmers consider a break-even mark.

Kuipers can be reached at akuipers@dnews.com.